Introduction to an Online Education in Nursing

by Douglas Schmitt

If you are already an RN and want to take the next step in your career with a bachelor's or master's degree, a traditional school may not be an option because of rising costs and schedule conflicts. Consider an online nursing degree.

Online nursing programs offer several advantages, including:

The ability to attend class from home.

Flexible schedules.

The cost -- online nursing schools are not as expensive as traditional degree programs.

Customization.

Accelerated classes that put you on the "fast track" so you can get your degree in just one or two years.

Live online classes where you can interact with others from around the world in real time.

Employment

The nursing shortage -- due to the matrix of an aging population, an increasing number of retiring nurses, and a shift toward more health care delivery done by skilled nurses than doctors -- means that there is a high demand and greater opportunity of advancement for nurses who have a BSN degree or higher.

And completion of advanced degrees usually results in a higher salary. Nurses with a bachelor's degree can earn salaries ranging from $55,000 to $71,000, depending on experience and specialty. Over time, with more experience and further education, salaries will increase, according to Kay Osinski, Assistant Dean at the
Baker School of Nursing in Topeka, Kansas.

Hospitals and health care providers have a high demand for individuals that can also be supervisors and managers. This is why a bachelor's degree and nursing master's degree offer more opportunity for advancement. According to Osinski, as healthcare and technology always evolve, nurses should keep up-to-date on the newest information and technology.

What better way to show your grasp of technology than by holding a degree made possible by it?